WO2017126208A1 - Photon-counting ct apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to collect more accurate data using a photon-counting CT apparatus. The photon-counting CT apparatus is provided with a reference detection unit 350 and a time measuring instrument 345 for measuring the time fluctuation of an X-ray irradiation unit 310 in the direction of rotation. Time measurement data output from the time measuring instrument 345 is used to correct the time fluctuation in the direction of rotation of measurement data of the reference detection unit 350. The corrected measurement data of the reference detection unit 350 is used to correct the fluctuation and pile-up of an X-ray tube 311 of the X-ray irradiation unit 310. This allows for more accurate data correction.

Description

Photon counting CT system

The present invention relates to an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a PCCT apparatus) having a photon counting mode, and more particularly to a more accurate correction data collection technique.

The X-ray CT apparatus obtains X-ray transmission data of a subject while rotating a pair of an X-ray source and an X-ray detector arranged opposite to each other with the subject interposed therebetween, and calculates a tomographic image (hereinafter referred to as a CT image). And is used as industrial and security inspection devices, medical diagnostic imaging devices, and the like.

Medical X-ray CT apparatuses include a PCCT apparatus equipped with a photon counting mode. In the PCCT apparatus, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, X-ray photons (X-ray photons) transmitted through a subject are counted for each detection element by a photon counting X-ray detector. Thereby, for example, it is possible to obtain a spectrum capable of estimating the elements constituting the internal tissue of the subject through which X-rays are transmitted, and to obtain an X-ray CT image in which the difference in element level is depicted in detail.

In the PCCT apparatus, the X-ray intensity for each energy value can be obtained by discriminating each counted X-ray photon by the energy value. Using this, the PCCT apparatus may extract and image only X-rays in a specific energy range and use it for diagnosis.

In an X-ray CT apparatus, an X-ray source is rotated to image a subject from various angles, but fluctuations in a rotation direction time integration result based on errors in the rotation direction notch interval (hereinafter referred to as rotation direction time fluctuations). ) Occurs. In other words, an error occurs in the section that integrates each piece of data in the rotation direction (hereinafter, that section is referred to as a view), and the longer section has more data due to the difference in view length. On the other hand, the short section has less data. Furthermore, since the X-ray intensity of the X-ray source fluctuates with time, these errors cause artifacts in the image obtained by the X-ray CT apparatus. In order to prevent these artifacts, the X-ray CT apparatus uses a reference detector to reduce these errors. Specifically, a reference X-ray detector is placed in a place that does not pass through the subject, and measurement is performed in the same time as the X-ray detector in the place that has passed through the subject, so that an error in the notch spacing in the rotational direction is obtained. Based on the above, the data of the time fluctuation in the rotation direction and the fluctuation of the X-ray source are collected. Then, it is possible to correct these two errors by correcting with the ratio of the output of the X-ray detector and the reference detector in each view.

JP2015-131028A

Also in the PCCT apparatus, the time fluctuation in the rotation direction and the fluctuation of the X-ray source based on the error in the notch interval in the rotation direction similar to the above-described X-ray CT apparatus occur. Therefore, a reference detector is required, but in the case of a PCCT apparatus, since data is collected for each energy range, it is necessary to assume fluctuations in X-rays for each energy range. However, the photon counting detector includes a detection error due to pileup, which is a deviation for each energy range due to the detector characteristics. Similarly, the reference detector data also includes an error due to pileup. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce errors different from those of the conventional X-ray CT apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a PCCT apparatus capable of correcting various fluctuations with high accuracy.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates X-rays, a photon counting type X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays, and an X-ray photon detected by the X-ray detection unit A data collection unit that counts for each energy range of a predetermined category and obtains measurement information for each energy range, a reference detection unit that measures fluctuations in X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit, and an X-ray irradiation unit Provided is a photon counting CT apparatus including a time measuring unit that measures time fluctuation in a rotation direction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to measure with high accuracy by measuring the time fluctuation in the rotation direction more accurately in the PCCT apparatus.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the PCCT apparatus based on Example 1-4. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of an X-ray detector according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the calculating part of a PCCT apparatus, and the example of a processing flow based on Example 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of an X-ray detector according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of an X-ray detector according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a calculating part and the example of a processing flow based on Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of an X-ray detector according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of the X-ray detector according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a calculating part, and the example of a processing flow based on Example 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a PCCT apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a calculating part, and the example of a processing flow based on Example 5. FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a calculating part, and the example of a processing flow based on Example 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the pileup correction data of the PCCT apparatus based on Example 1. FIG.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, in all drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to those having the same function, and repeated explanation thereof is omitted. Further, in the present invention, various fluctuations of the PCCT apparatus, for example, time fluctuations in the rotation direction, fluctuations in the X-ray source, fluctuations associated with pile-up, etc. are corrected with high precision. Here, the time fluctuation in the rotation direction is The fluctuation of the time integration result in the rotation direction means fluctuation, and the fluctuation of the X-ray source means fluctuation of the X-ray irradiation amount or X-ray spectrum of the X-ray source.

In the first embodiment, a reference detection unit and a time measurement unit for measuring time are provided, and time fluctuation in the rotation direction is corrected by the time measured by the time measurement unit, and the correction of fluctuation of the X-ray source and pileup is measured. It is an Example of the PCCT apparatus which correct | amends using the measurement data of the reference detection part which correct | amended the time fluctuation of the rotation direction by the time which was made. That is, in this embodiment, an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates X-rays, a photon counting X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays, and an X-ray photon detected by the X-ray detection unit in a predetermined energy range. A data collection unit that counts every time and obtains measurement information for each energy range, a reference detection unit that measures fluctuations in X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit, and time fluctuations in the rotational direction of the X-ray irradiation unit This is an embodiment of a PCCT apparatus having a configuration including a time measurement unit that performs correction, and further includes a correction unit that corrects measurement data measured by the reference detection unit based on time measurement data measured by the time measurement unit.

In this embodiment, as an X-ray CT apparatus, a PCCT apparatus having a photon counting type X-ray detector is used instead of a conventional current mode measurement type integration type detector. In the PCCT apparatus, photons (X-ray photons) derived from X-rays transmitted through a subject are counted by a photon counting X-ray detector. Individual x-ray photons have different energies. In the PCCT apparatus, the X-ray photons are discriminated for each predetermined energy range and counted, whereby the X-ray intensity that is the X-ray photon count for each energy range can be obtained as measurement information.

[Schematic configuration of X-ray CT apparatus]
An example of a schematic configuration of the PCCT apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the PCCT apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) unit 200, a measurement unit 300, and a calculation unit 400.

The UI unit 200 receives an input from the user and presents the processing result of the calculation unit 400 to the user. For this reason, the UI unit 200 includes an input device 210 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display device such as a monitor, and an output device 220 such as a printer. The display device includes a liquid crystal display, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and the like. Note that the display device of the output device 220 may have a touch panel function and be configured to be used as the input device 210.

[Measurement section]
The measurement unit 300 irradiates the subject 101 with X-rays and measures X-ray photons transmitted through the subject 101 under the control of the calculation unit 400. The measurement unit 300 includes an X-ray irradiation unit 310, an X-ray detection unit 320, a reference detection unit 350 disposed at a position where the subject does not pass through the side of the X-ray detection unit and enters the detector, a gantry ( A gantry 330, a control unit 340, and a table 102 on which the subject 101 is placed.

[Gantry]
In the center of the gantry 330, a circular opening 331 for placing the subject 101 and the table 102 on which the subject 101 is placed is provided. Inside the gantry 330, a rotating plate 332 on which an X-ray detection unit 320 including an X-ray tube 311 and an X-ray detector 321 described later is mounted, and a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating plate 332 are arranged, and a control unit It is controlled by a gantry controller 342 which will be described later.

Further, the rotating plate 332 has a notch 333 in the rotation direction, and integration is performed when the notch 333 passes. That is, when crossing the notch 333, a signal enters a detection controller 343 described later in the control unit 340, and a command for processing data is issued based on this signal. The time required for the rotation of the rotating plate 332 depends on parameters input by the user via the UI unit 200. In this embodiment, for example, the time required for rotation is 1.0 s / time. For example, the number of times of photographing in one rotation by the measurement unit 300 is 900, and one photographing is performed every time the rotating plate 332 rotates 0.4 degrees. Each specification is not limited to these values, and can be variously changed according to the configuration of the PCCT apparatus 100. As described above, there is an error in the interval between the notches 333, which causes time fluctuation in the rotation direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this specification, the circumferential direction of the opening 331 is the x direction, the radial direction is the y direction, and the direction perpendicular to them is the z direction. In general, the z direction is the same as the body axis direction of the subject 101.

[X-ray irradiation part]
The X-ray irradiation unit 310 generates X-rays and irradiates the subject 101 with the generated X-rays. The X-ray irradiation unit 310 includes an X-ray tube 311, an X-ray filter 312, and a bowtie filter 313.

The X-ray tube 311 irradiates the subject 101 with an X-ray beam by a high voltage supplied in accordance with the control of an irradiation controller 341 described later. The irradiated X-ray beam spreads with a fan angle and a cone angle. The X-ray beam is applied to the subject 101 as the rotating plate 332 of the gantry 330 rotates.

The X-ray filter 312 adjusts the quality of X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 311. That is, the X-ray spectrum is changed. The X-ray filter 312 of this embodiment attenuates the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 311 so that the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 311 to the subject 101 have a predetermined energy distribution. The X-ray filter 312 is used to optimize the exposure amount of the patient who is the subject 101. For this reason, it is designed to increase the dose in the required energy range.

The bow tie filter 313 suppresses the exposure amount of the peripheral part. It is used for optimizing the exposure dose by using the elliptical cross section of the human body as the subject 101, increasing the dose near the center, and lowering the ambient dose.

[X-ray detector, reference detector]
Each time an X-ray photon enters, the X-ray detection unit 320 outputs a signal capable of measuring the energy value of the X-ray photon. The X-ray detection unit 320 includes an X-ray detector 321.

FIG. 2 illustrates a part of the X-ray detector 321. The X-ray detector 321 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of detection elements 322 and a counting circuit electrically connected to each detection element 322 as shown in the cross-sectional and plan configurations of FIGS. 324 and a collimator 323 that limits the incident direction to the X-ray detector 321.

The reference detector 350 also has the same structure as the X-ray detector 321 illustrated in FIG. In the X-ray detection unit 320, the structure partially shown in FIG. 2A is repeated in the x direction. The reference detection unit 350 may use some X-ray detectors at the end of the X-ray detection unit 320. In that case, care must be taken so that the subject does not protrude from the effective field of view (FOV: Field of View). Conversely, the X-ray detection unit 320 and the reference detection unit 350 may be separated to avoid overlapping with the FOV. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the X-ray detector 321 includes a large number of detection elements 322 at substantially equidistant positions from a plurality of X-ray generation points of the X-ray tube 311 in the x direction and the z direction. 2 may be arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and this applies to both the X-ray detector 320 and the reference detector 350.

In order to facilitate the production, a plurality of detector modules, which are planar X-ray detectors, are created, arranged so that the central portion of the plane is an arc, and are arranged in a pseudo arc shape. The detector 321 may be used.

The X-rays incident on each detection element 322 are converted into one-pulse electric signals (analog signals) by each electrically connected counting circuit 324 every time one X-ray photon is incident. The converted electrical signal is input to the arithmetic unit 400 described later.

In this embodiment, the detection element 322 uses, for example, a CdTe telluride-based semiconductor element that directly converts incident X-ray photons into an electrical signal. Note that the detection element 322 may be a scintillator that emits fluorescence upon receiving X-rays and a photodiode that converts fluorescence into electricity.

The number of detection elements 322 of the X-ray detector 321 in the x direction, that is, the number of channels is, for example, 1000. The size of each detection element in the x direction is, for example, 1 mm.

The distance between the X-ray generation point of the X-ray tube 311 and the X-ray incident surface of the X-ray detector 321 is, for example, 1000 mm. The diameter of the opening 331 of the gantry 330 is 700 mm, for example.

As with the gantry 330, the specifications of the X-ray detection unit 320 are not limited to these values, and can be variously changed according to the configuration of the PCCT apparatus 100.

[Control unit]
The control unit 340 includes an irradiation controller 341 that controls irradiation of X-rays from the X-ray tube 311, a gantry controller 342 that controls rotation of the rotating plate 332, a table controller 344 that controls driving of the table 102, and X A detection controller 343 that controls X-ray detection in the line detector 321 and a time measuring unit 345 that is a time measuring unit that measures time in the rotation direction are provided. The time measuring device 345 receives the signal at the same time as the rotation time measurement time signal generated when crossing the notch 333 indicated by the gantry 330 enters the detection controller 343, and stores the rotation time measurement time.

These controllers of the control unit 340 operate according to control by the measurement control unit 420 of the calculation unit 400 described later.

[Calculation section]
FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the calculation unit 400 of this embodiment. The arithmetic unit 400 controls the overall operation of the PCCT apparatus 100 and processes the data acquired by the measurement unit 300 to photograph the subject. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the calculation unit 400 includes an imaging condition setting unit 410, a measurement control unit 420, a data collection unit 430, a correction unit 440, and an image generation unit 450, which will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the calculation unit 400 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 401, a memory 402, and an HDD (Hard disk drive) device 403 as hardware configurations. For example, the central processing unit 401 loads a program stored in the HDD device 403 in advance into the memory 402 and executes it, thereby realizing each function.

Note that all or part of the functions of the arithmetic unit 400 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) instead of the program.

Also, the HDD device 403 stores data used for processing, data generated during processing, data obtained as a result of processing, and the like. The processing result is also output to an output device 220 such as a display device of the UI unit 200.

[Shooting condition setting section]
The shooting condition setting unit 410 receives and sets shooting conditions from the user using the UI unit 200. For example, the shooting condition setting unit 410 displays a reception screen for receiving shooting conditions on the display device, and receives the shooting conditions via the reception screen. The user inputs photographing conditions by operating the input device 210 such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel via the reception screen.

The imaging conditions to be set are, for example, the tube current and tube voltage of the X-ray tube 311, the imaging range of the subject 101, the type of the X-ray filter 312, the shape of the bow tie filter 313, and the resolution.

Note that the user does not necessarily have to input shooting conditions using the UI unit 200 each time. For example, typical photographing conditions stored in advance in the HDD 403 or the like may be read and used.

[Measurement control unit]
The measurement control unit 420 controls the control unit 340 according to the shooting conditions set by the user, and performs measurement.

Specifically, the measurement control unit 420 moves the table 102 in a direction perpendicular to the rotating plate 332 with respect to the table controller 344, and the shooting position set using the rotating plate 332 is set. It is instructed to stop the movement when it matches. Thereby, the arrangement of the subject 101 is completed.

Also, the measurement control unit 420 instructs the gantry controller 342 to operate the drive motor and start the rotation of the rotating plate 332 at the same timing as the instruction to the table controller 344.

When the rotation of the rotating plate 332 is in a constant speed state and the placement of the subject 101 is completed, the measurement control unit 420 instructs the X-ray irradiation timing of the X-ray tube 311 to the irradiation controller 341, and the detection controller 343 instructs the imaging timing of the X-ray detector 321. Accordingly, the measurement control unit 420 performs X-ray irradiation and X-ray photon detection by the detector, and starts measurement.

The measurement control unit 420 measures the entire imaging range by repeating these instructions to the control unit 340. Note that the measurement control unit 420 and the control unit 340 may perform control so as to perform imaging while moving the table 102 as in a known helical scan.

[Data collection section]
The data collection unit 430 counts X-ray photons derived from the X-rays detected by the X-ray detector 321 for each predetermined energy range, and outputs a count value for each energy range, that is, projection data that is measurement information. Obtained as imaging data 431. The data collection unit 430 of this embodiment includes a data collection system (DAS: Data Acquisition System, hereinafter referred to as DAS), and this DAS counts the X-ray photons detected by the measurement unit 300 and images the count value. This is data 431. Further, the data collection unit 430 collects the output of the reference detection unit 350 as reference data 432 and collects the output of the time measuring device 345 as time measurement data 433.

The DAS acquires the energy value of each X-ray photon detected by the X-ray detector 321 and outputs the energy value (Bin) provided for each energy range according to the energy value to the count value. to add. An energy bin is a storage area set for each energy range.

Each energy range is obtained by dividing the entire energy range from 0 keV to the maximum energy of the X-ray tube 311 by a predetermined energy width ΔB. If the energy width ΔB is, for example, 10 keV and the maximum energy is, for example, 140 keV, the total energy range 0 keV to 140 keV is changed to B1 (0 to 20 keV), B2 (20 to 40 keV), B3 (40 to 60 keV), B4 (60 to 80 keV). ), B5 (80 to 100 keV), B6 (100 to 120 keV), and B7 (120 to 140 keV). The DAS sequentially adds to the count result of the energy bins provided in association with the corresponding energy range according to the detected energy value of the X-ray photon.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the result. As is clear from the figure, the horizontal axis represents each energy range B1 to B7, and the vertical axis represents the number of photons in each energy range. Thus, the data collection unit 430 counts the number of X-ray photons for each energy range. As shown in FIG. 4, the obtained result shows the distribution of energy values (unit: keV) of X-ray photons. Accordingly, the data collection unit 430 thereby obtains a spectrum of the energy distribution of the X-rays detected by the X-ray detector 321. The data collection unit 430 outputs imaging data 431 that is the obtained result as measurement information.

The total energy range, each energy range, that is, the energy range corresponding to each energy bin, and the number of energy bins are set in advance according to an instruction from the user or the like. The data collection unit 430 collects reference data 432 and time measurement data 433, which will be described later, in addition to the imaging data 431.

[Correction section]
The correction unit 440 performs correction processing using the imaging data 431, reference data 432, and time measurement data 433 collected by the data collection unit 430. The correction processing performed here is, for example, linearity correction of a reference correction circuit using the reference data 432, logarithmic conversion processing, offset processing, sensitivity correction, beam hardening correction, and the like. Here, a known technique is used for a correction method other than the reference correction. The reference correction method will be described later in the description of [Flow of pre-shooting process] and [Flow of shooting process].

[Image generator]
The image generation unit 450 reconstructs an X-ray CT image from the number of X-ray photons stored in each energy bin, that is, the imaging data 431. The image is reconstructed by performing log transformation on the measurement information, for example, the number of X-ray photons. Various known methods such as the FeldKamp method and the successive approximation method can be used for the reconstruction. Note that image data stored in all energy bins may not be used for generating an image. Only imaging data which is a count value stored in an energy bin corresponding to a predetermined energy range may be used.

[Flow of pre-shooting processing]
Here, a process before actually photographing a subject will be described using each item described above. Before shooting, data necessary for various corrections is acquired. As a correction method other than the reference correction, a known technique is used. Here, a method for acquiring the reference data 432 necessary for the reference correction will be described.

The data required before collection by the reference correction in the correction unit 440 is pile-up correction data 441. The pile-up correction data 441 is data indicating the relationship between the dose rate data and the count value accompanying the pile-up, that is, the amount of change in measurement information. The creation of the pile-up correction data 441 can be realized by measuring in advance how the signal amount of the reference detection unit 350 changes as a result of changing the dose rate of the X-ray irradiation unit 310. Usually, as the dose rate of the X-ray irradiation unit 310 is increased, the amount of pile-up is increased, so that the count number is shifted below the proportion with the dose rate. There is also a change in dose rate when acquiring correction data. Therefore, imaging for a sufficiently long time with respect to the change in the dose rate is performed for each data, and pile-up correction data 441 is created in which the deviation from the above-described proportion is the pile-up correction amount.

FIG. 13 shows an example of pile-up correction data 441 in the PCCT apparatus of this embodiment. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the count number and the vertical axis represents the pile-up correction amount, and this pile-up correction amount is multiplied according to the count number.

[Flow of shooting process]
Next, the flow of shooting processing by the calculation unit 400 will be described. FIG. 3 is a processing flow of the photographing process of the present embodiment. For example, it is assumed that pile-up correction data 441 as shown in FIG. 13 is created in advance in the above-described pre-shooting process flow.

First, the shooting condition setting unit 410 receives shooting conditions from the user via the UI unit 200 (step S1201). Imaging conditions for accepting input include tube voltage, tube current, the type (thickness and material) of the X-ray filter 312, the shape of the bow tie filter 313, and the like.

Next, the measurement control unit 420 performs measurement according to the imaging conditions set in step S1201 (step S1202), and the data collection unit 430 collects various data (step S1203). In the data collection unit 430, the data collection unit 430 includes information on the subject 101, the imaging data 431 collected by the X-ray detection unit 320, the reference data 432 collected by the reference detection unit 350, and the time measurement which is a time measurement unit. Time measurement data 433 collected by the device 345 is obtained.

Thereafter, the correction unit 440 corrects the imaging data 431 collected by the data collection unit 430. First, for each energy range of the reference data 432, a dose per view to a dose per unit time, that is, a dose to be converted into a dose rate → a dose rate conversion is performed (step S1204). “→” means that the value on the left side is converted to the value on the right side. This is due to the fact that the pileup depends on the dose rate, not the dose, and that the dose per view is not equivalent to the dose rate due to fluctuations in the view time. In the conversion method, for each view, the time per view based on the time measurement data 433 is divided and converted into a dose rate.

Next, pile-up correction is performed using the reference data converted into the dose per unit time, that is, the dose rate (step S1205). The pile-up correction method is created in the flow of the pre-shooting process, and the above-described correction regarding the counting of each energy range of the reference detection unit 350 is performed using the pile-up correction data 441 whose example is shown in FIG. . The correction unit 440 corrects the dose rate data based on the dose rate data and the pile-up correction data obtained by measuring in advance the amount of change in measurement information that is a count value associated with pile-up. The reference data corrected here is data per unit time, but the imaging data 431 of the data collection unit is data per view. Therefore, dose rate → dose conversion, which is the reverse operation of step S1204, is performed on the corrected reference data (step S1206). Specifically, each view is converted into a dose by multiplying the time per view based on the time measurement data 433. Even if the dose is not converted in step S1206, the unit of the corrected reference data and the imaging data may be adjusted by performing the dose-to-dose rate conversion on the imaging data 431 in the same manner as in step S1204. Good.

After this unit alignment, reference correction is performed on the imaged data (step S1207). Based on the count number of each energy range of the reference detection unit corrected in step S1206, the fluctuation of the X-ray count number is corrected to obtain corrected data 442. In the case of a normal X-ray CT apparatus, only the data obtained by adding up all the energy ranges can be obtained. However, since the PCCT apparatus measures each energy range, the X-ray fluctuation must be measured for each energy range. Correct correction is not possible. Therefore, reference correction is performed using data measured for each energy range.

As described above, the X-ray source fluctuation and the time fluctuation in the rotation direction can be corrected. Thereafter, other corrections are performed (step S1208). The corrections other than the reference correction are summarized in step 1208. However, correction may be performed before the reference correction if necessary, and some corrections may be performed before the reference correction. The correction may be performed before and after the part correction is performed after the reference correction. Finally, the image generation unit 450 generates an image using the data obtained by the correction, stores the image in the image DB 470, and ends the process (step S1209).

According to the PCCT apparatus of the present embodiment, in particular, in steps S1204 to S1207, the time fluctuation in the rotation direction is measured more accurately, and the deviation for each energy range associated with the detector characteristics generated in the reference detector is corrected. However, since the X-ray source fluctuation can be corrected, highly accurate correction can be performed.

In the first embodiment, the energy range can be set using a semiconductor detector for the reference detector 350. However, when the correspondence between the signal amount of the reference detection unit 350 and the signal amount of each energy range of each X-ray detector 321 belonging to the X-ray detection unit 320 is known, an integral type detector is used as the reference detection unit 350. Is also possible. When an integrating circuit is used as the integrating detector, there is an advantage that correction specific to the counting circuit such as pileup is not necessary. In the second embodiment, an embodiment in which an integral detector is used as such a reference detector and integral reference data is obtained will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the second embodiment, the reference detection unit 350 is an integral detector, and the correction unit is a signal amount of the reference detection unit 350 for the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit and an energy range of the X-ray detection unit 320. The relationship between the measurement information for each energy range of the X-ray detection unit 320 at the time of subject imaging and the relationship between the measurement information obtained in advance and the signal amount of the reference detection unit during imaging are obtained in advance. It is an Example of the PCCT apparatus of the structure which correct | amends measurement information for every energy range from the relationship with the signal amount of the calculated | required reference detection part. The differences from the first embodiment are the X-ray detection unit, the reference detection unit, the flow of pre-imaging processing, and the flow of imaging processing. These changes will be described below.

[X-ray detector, reference detector]
As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the X-ray detector 321 of the reference detection unit 350 uses an integration circuit 325 instead of the counting circuit 324 of FIG. The integrating circuit 325 is a circuit that is used in a conventional X-ray CT apparatus, and is a circuit that adds and outputs the signal amounts of all X-rays incident on each view. Therefore, pile-up does not occur in the integration circuit 325, but data cannot be acquired in each energy range.

However, in the case of the PCCT apparatus, since it is necessary to correct by the dose rate in each energy range, it is necessary to correct the integrated data after converting the integrated dose per view to the integrated dose rate. Therefore, the correction calculation is changed. These changes are shown below.

[Flow of pre-shooting processing]
As described above, when an integral detector is used for the reference detection unit 350, it is necessary to obtain the correction amount of each energy range from the signal amount of the reference detection unit 350. However, since an integral detector cannot obtain data for each energy range, it must be obtained in advance. As described above, the factor that the signal of the reference detection unit 350 fluctuates is
The fluctuation of the X-ray source, that is, the fluctuation of the X-ray intensity and dose rate of the X-ray tube 311 and the fluctuation of the time in the rotation direction, that is, the fluctuation of the time integration result in the rotation direction. The integral-type reference detection unit 350 also performs measurement including the two fluctuations. When the X-ray intensity of the X-ray tube 311 fluctuates, the ratio of each energy range may change, and the change may vary depending on the characteristics of the X-ray tube 311. On the other hand, in the case of time fluctuation in the rotation direction, the ratio of the signal amount in each energy range does not change. Therefore, it is necessary to create correction data in consideration of these two fluctuation characteristics.

The measurement method of Example 2 is shown below. First, the X-ray tube 311 is set to one of settable doses. Also, the bow tie filter 313 and the X-ray filter 312 are both removed. In this state, X-rays are irradiated, and both signals incident on the reference detection unit 350 and the X-ray detection unit 320 are measured. The signal detected by the integration circuit 325 of the reference detection unit 350 is categorized according to the fluctuation amount of the signal, and the dose rate of each energy range obtained by the X-ray detection unit 320 is calculated for each categorized fluctuation amount. . At this time, there may be a time lag between the views, so the time measurement data of the time measuring device 345 is used so that the time of each view becomes the reference time. The averaging in each energy range is because the fluctuation of the X-ray tube 311 does not always fluctuate in the same manner in the entire energy range. By taking correction data in this way, the difference in fluctuation for each energy range can be smoothed. By executing this operation with all the settable doses, energy range conversion data is created from the obtained integral data, that is, integration → energy range conversion data 443 is created.

A specific example of a method of creating this integration → energy range conversion data 443 is shown. The bow tie filter 313 and the X-ray filter 312 described above are both removed and irradiated with X-rays, and time measurement data 433 is obtained for data obtained by measuring both signals incident on the reference detection unit 350 and the X-ray detection unit 320. Is divided by the time per view based on the above, and both signal amounts incident on the reference detection unit 350 and the X-ray detection unit 320 are converted into signal amounts per unit time. The converted data is categorized by a value (unit: signal amount / time) obtained by converting the signal of the reference detection unit 350 into a signal amount per unit time. Since the signal amount depends on the setting value of the amplifier, the specific value of the value converted into the signal amount per unit time depends on the device setting. The average value of the signal amount of each energy bin incident on the X-ray detector 320 in each categorized section is calculated.

When the value obtained by converting the signal of the reference detection unit 350 thus obtained into the signal amount per unit time indicates a certain value, the average value of the signal amount of each energy bin incident on the X-ray detection unit 320 The value is integral → energy range conversion data 443. For example, when imaging at 120kV / 200mA and 1000 view conditions, bin1 is 100 counts / s, bin2 is 1000counts / s, and bin3 is 1000counts / s, bin4 is 700counts / s, and the value converted to the signal amount per unit time is 1.01, bin1 is 110 counts / s, bin2 is 1100counts / s, bin3 is 900counts / s, bin4 is 500counts / s, A conversion table for conversion such as is created.

[Flow of shooting process]
A flow of photographing processing of the present embodiment by the calculation unit 400 will be described. FIG. 6 is a processing flow of the photographing process of the present embodiment. It is assumed that the integration → each energy range conversion data 443 is created in advance in [Flow of pre-shooting processing] as described above.

Step S1301 of the photographing condition setting unit 410 and step S1302 of the measurement control unit 420 are equivalent to step S1201 and step S1202, respectively.

The data collection unit 430 collects various data (step S1303). The data collection unit 430 includes the information of the subject 101 by collecting data, and the imaging data 431 collected by the X-ray detection unit 320 and the time measurement data 433 collected by the time measuring device 345 are the same as the previous example. Since the reference data collected by the reference detection unit 350 is integrated for the view, it is referred to as integration reference data 434 here.

Thereafter, the correction unit 440 corrects the imaging data collected by the data collection unit 430. First, for each energy range, dose-to-dose rate conversion is performed for converting the integrated reference data 434 from a dose per view to a dose per unit time, that is, a dose rate (step S1304). This is because the fluctuation of the X-ray intensity of the X-ray tube 311 is based on fluctuation characteristics per unit time as shown in [Flow of pre-imaging processing].

Next, using the integration reference data converted into the dose per unit time, the integration → energy range conversion described above is performed (step S1305). The integration → energy range conversion method uses the integration → each energy range conversion data 443 created in [Flow of pre-shooting processing], and a conversion table for counting each energy range based on each integration reference data of the reference detection unit. Create Since the data is data per unit time as in the first embodiment, dose rate → dose conversion, which is the reverse operation of step S1304, is performed (step S1306). Note that, as in the previous example, the unit of the correction data and the imaging data may be adjusted by performing the same dose rate conversion as that in step S1304 on the imaging data without being converted into the dose in step S1306.

After this unit alignment, reference correction is performed on the imaging data 431 (step S1307). Based on the correction data of each energy range based on the integrated reference data of the reference detector 350 created in steps S1304 to S1306, the fluctuation of the imaging data 431 that is the X-ray count number is corrected. A specific calculation method divides a value converted into a signal amount per unit time based on integration → energy range conversion data 443. For example, when the value converted into the signal amount per unit time is 1, bin1 is divided by 100, bin2 is 1000, bin3 is 1000, and bin4 is 700. Note that the ratio may be divided by a ratio based on a certain standard conversion value.

In the following, as in the first embodiment, other corrections are performed (step S1308), and after the image is generated by the image generation unit 450 using the corrected data, the image is stored in the image DB 470 and the process is terminated (step S1308). S1309).

With the configuration of the second embodiment described above, in particular, step S1304 to step S1307, the PCCT apparatus using the integral detector without pile-up as the reference detection unit measures the time fluctuation in the rotation direction more accurately, and the reference detection unit Since the X-ray source fluctuation can be corrected while correcting the deviation for each energy range accompanying the detector characteristics generated in step S1, the correction can be performed with high accuracy.

Example 1 describes an example in which time correction and pile-up correction are performed only on the detector of the reference detection unit 350. However, it may be necessary to perform time correction in the entire photon counting X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays. Therefore, an embodiment will be described in which time correction and pile-up correction are also performed by the detector of the X-ray detection unit 320. Since only the correction method is different from that of the first embodiment, the only difference from the first embodiment is [flow of photographing process]. Therefore, the changes in [Flow of shooting process] will be described below.

[Flow of shooting process]
FIG. 12 shows an imaging process flow that is different from the first embodiment. Note that the pile-up correction data 441 is created in advance by a method similar to [Flow of pre-shooting process] in the first embodiment.

First, the shooting condition setting unit 410 receives shooting conditions from the user via the UI unit 200 (step S1201). Next, the measurement control unit 420 performs measurement in accordance with the imaging conditions set in step S1201 (step S1202), and the data collection unit 430 collects various data (step S1203). The details up to this point are the same as in the first embodiment, and the details are omitted.

Thereafter, the correction unit 440 corrects the imaging data 431 and the reference data 432 collected by the data collection unit 430. For each energy range of each data, dose per unit time to dose per unit time, that is, dose converted to dose rate → dose rate conversion is performed (step S1504). This is because the pile-up depends on the dose rate, not the dose, as in the first embodiment, and the dose per view is not equivalent to the dose rate due to fluctuations in the view time. In this embodiment, the conversion method converts the imaging data 431 and the reference data 432 into a dose rate for each view using the time per view based on the time measurement data 433.

Next, pile-up correction is performed using the imaging data converted into the dose per unit time, that is, the dose rate, and reference data (step S1505). In the pile-up correction method, the pile-up correction data 441 created in the pre-imaging processing flow is used to correct each energy range count for each of the imaging data converted into the dose rate and the reference data. Both data corrected here are data per unit time. Therefore, the dose rate → dose conversion (step S1206) performed in the first embodiment is not necessary.

After this unit alignment, reference correction is performed on the imaged data (step S1207). The following is the same as in Example 1.

According to the PCCT apparatus of the present embodiment, in particular, in steps S1504 to S1505, time fluctuations in the rotation direction are more accurately measured for both the imaging data and the reference data, and the detector characteristics generated by the reference detector are accompanied. Since the X-ray source fluctuation can be corrected while correcting the deviation for each energy range, high-accuracy correction is possible.

The present embodiment is an embodiment of a PCCT apparatus having a configuration capable of reducing pileup as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment. In order to reduce the pile-up amount, the X-ray intensity incident on the detector may be reduced. Therefore, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, the size of the X-ray detector of the reference detection unit 350, that is, the X-ray detection region is smaller than the size of the X-ray detector 321 of the X-ray detection unit 320, that is, the X-ray detection region. By doing so, the pile-up amount of the reference detection unit 350 is reduced. Alternatively, the reference detection unit 350 is created with a plurality of X-ray detectors having a size equal to or smaller than the size of the X-ray detector 321 and the size of the X-ray detector of the reference detection unit 350 is switched according to the X-ray dose. Enables more accurate reference correction.

As shown in the cross-sectional and planar configurations of FIGS. 7A and 7B, in this embodiment, the reference detection unit 350 has a plurality of sizes, that is, X-ray detectors 321 -b having a plurality of detection regions. Is used. The plurality of sizes are used because the dose varies depending on the size of the subject 101, the imaging region, and the like. For example, a detector having a large detection area is used in an imaging condition with a very low dose, and a small X-ray detector is used in an imaging condition with a very high dose.

Further, only the smallest detector 321-c is created as shown in the cross-sectional and planar configurations of FIGS. 8A and 8B, and a plurality of detection signals from the detector 321-c are added and processed. Since a detection signal equivalent to a large detector can be obtained, a method that does not use a large size detector may be used.

With the above configuration, since the pile-up of the reference detection unit 350 is reduced, the chart of [shooting process flow] in the correction unit 440 is different. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, correction is performed by a method that excludes steps S1204 to S1206, which is pile-up correction in the reference detection unit 350, as compared with FIG. The contents of the other steps are the same as in FIG. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to acquire the pile-up correction data 441 acquired in [Flow of pre-shooting process]. Therefore, the time correction data 433 measured by the time measuring device 345 is unnecessary, but the time correction data 433 may be used for pile-up correction of the X-ray detector 321 and the like.

According to the present embodiment, when a plurality of size detectors are used for the reference detection unit 350, pile-up is reduced and reference correction can be performed more accurately in any case where only the smallest detector is created. Become. Further, when using detectors of a plurality of sizes, the number of circuits for processing the detection signal can be reduced as compared with the case where only the smallest detector is produced.

In Example 4, the detector size of the reference detection unit is changed, whereas in Example 5, an X-ray dose variable filter is used to change the amount of X-ray incident on the reference detection unit. That is, this is an example of a configuration further including an X-ray dose variable filter that can switch a filter according to the X-ray dose of the X-ray irradiation unit between the reference detection unit and the X-ray irradiation unit. The changes from the above-described embodiments are [Gantry], [Flow of pre-shooting process], and [Flow of shooting process].

[Gantry]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, an X-ray dosage variable filter 326 is provided between the reference detection unit 350 and the X-ray irradiation unit 310. The variable X-ray dose filter 326 has a mechanism capable of taking in and out a plurality of metal plates, for example, and the type of the metal plate is, for example, copper. By inserting this metal plate, the X-ray dose incident on the reference detection unit 350 can be reduced, and the pile-up amount can be reduced. On the other hand, when a metal filter is inserted, the signal amount in each energy range changes. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the signal amount ratio for each energy range at the time of filter insertion.

Note that the thickness of the metal plate included in the variable X-ray dose filter 326 depends on the amount of tube current in the imaging conditions set by the user, so that the operation of the variable X-ray dose filter 326 is not linked to the X-ray filter 312. good. Therefore, a drive mechanism is provided separately from the X-ray filter 312 and the bow tie filter 313. However, since the X-ray filter 312 or the bow tie filter 313 and the variable X-ray dose filter 326 may be independent, the variable X-ray dose filter 326 may be placed between the X-ray filter 312 or the bow tie filter 313 and the reference detection unit 350. Further, it is possible to place the X-ray variable filter 326 at a position away from the X-ray tube such as immediately before the reference detection unit 350.

[Flow of pre-shooting processing]
When the X-ray dose variable filter 326 is used, the X-ray attenuation rate changes for each energy range depending on the filter. Therefore, the X-ray dose for each energy range associated with the presence or absence of the filter must be obtained in advance and used as correction data. Hereinafter, a method for measuring the correction data will be described.

First, the X-ray tube 311 is set to one of settable doses. Also, the bow tie filter 313 and the X-ray filter 312 are both removed. X-rays are irradiated in this state. The reference detector 350 measures signals in both the state where the X-ray dosage variable filter 326 is placed and the state where the X-ray variable filter 326 is not placed. The signal detected by the reference detection unit 350 does not need to be corrected when the metal plate is inserted because there is little pile up, but it is piled up when the metal plate is not inserted. The pile-up correction is performed at And the signal ratio at the time of the presence or absence of a metal plate is acquired as correction data. This correction data is used as X-ray variable filter correction data, and X-ray variable filter correction data is measured for all settable doses.

Specifically, how to create correction data is shown. First, the signal amount of each energy bin incident on the X-ray detection unit 320 when the X-ray dose variable filter 326 is not inserted as a reference is measured. For example, bin1 is 100 counts, bin2 is 1000 counts, bin3 is 1000 counts, and bin4 is 700 counts. Next, the signal amount when the X-ray dosage variable filter 326 is input under a certain condition designated by the user is measured. For example, it is assumed that bin1 is 90 counts, bin2 is 850 counts, bin3 is 600 counts, and bin4 is 200 counts. Such data is measured according to all conditions that can be set.

[Flow of shooting process]
A flow of photographing processing of the present embodiment by the calculation unit 400 will be described. FIG. 11 is a processing flow of the photographing process of the present embodiment. It is assumed that the X-ray dose variable filter correction data 444 has been created in advance in the above [Flow of pre-imaging processing].

Step S1401 of the imaging condition setting unit 410 and step S1402 of the measurement control unit 420 are equivalent to step S1201 and step S1202, respectively. The data collection unit 430 collects various data (step S1403). The data collection unit 140 includes the information of the subject 101 by collecting data, and the imaging data 431 collected by the X-ray detection unit 320 and the time measurement data 433 collected by the time measuring device 345 are the same as the previous example. In the reference data collected by the reference detection unit 350, different attenuation amounts are generated in the respective energy ranges by the variable X-ray dose filter 326. Here, the collected reference data is referred to as filtering reference data 435.

Thereafter, the correction unit 440 corrects the imaging data 431 collected by the data collection unit 430. First, for each energy range, a dose-to-dose rate conversion for converting the filtering reference data 435 from a dose per view to a dose per unit time, that is, a dose rate is performed (step S1404). The reason for this is the same as in the above-described embodiments. Next, variable X-ray dose filter correction is performed using the data converted into the dose per unit time (step S1405). In the X-ray dose variable filter correction method, the count value of each energy range of the reference detection unit 350 is corrected using the X-ray variable filter correction data 444 created in [Flow of pre-imaging processing]. The correction method divides according to the signal amount of each bin measured using the variable X-ray dose filter 326 under the same conditions as previously set. Note that the ratio may be divided by a ratio based on a certain standard conversion value.

As in the previous embodiment, since the output data in step S1405 is data per unit time, dose rate → dose conversion, which is the reverse operation of step S1404, is performed (step S1406). As in the previous embodiment, the unit of the correction data and the imaging data may be adjusted by performing the same dose rate conversion as that of step S1404 on the imaging data 431 without being converted into the dose in step S1406. Good.

Finally, reference correction is performed (step S1407). Based on the correction data created in steps S1404 to S1406, the fluctuation of the X-ray count is corrected to obtain corrected data 442.

In the following, as in the previous embodiment, other corrections are performed (step S1408), an image is generated by the image generation unit 450 using the corrected data, the image is stored in the image DB 470, and the process is terminated. (Step S1409).

Also in this embodiment, when the image data 431 shown in the third embodiment needs to be corrected, the processes of S1404 and S1405 are also performed on the image data 431, and both outputs of S1405 are per unit time. Since the data is unified, the operation in S1406 is not necessary and is omitted, and the reference correction in S1407 may be performed.

In this embodiment, in particular, step S1404 to step S1407 eliminates the need for pile-up correction of the reference detection unit during measurement of the subject, so that data processing can be performed at a higher speed.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, Various modifications are included. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for better understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those provided with all the configurations described above. Further, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.

Further, the above-described configuration, function, processing unit, and the like have been described as an example of creating a program that realizes a part or all of them. However, as described above, part or all of them can be used, for example, ASIC (Application Specific). Needless to say, it may be realized by hardware by designing with an integrated circuit such as Integrated Circuit (FPGA) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

100 PCCT device 101 Subject 102 Table 200 UI unit 210 Input device 220 Output device 300 Measuring unit 310 X-ray irradiation unit 311 X-ray tube 312 X-ray filter 313 Bowtie filter 320 X-ray detection unit 321 X-ray detector 322 Detection element 323 Collimator 324 counting circuit 325 integrating circuit 326 X-dose variable filter 330 gantry 331 opening 332 rotating plate 333 notch 340 control unit 341 irradiation controller 342 gantry controller 343 detection controller 344 table controller 345 time measurement unit 350 reference detection unit 400 Unit 401 Central processing unit 402 Memory 403 HDD device 410 Imaging condition setting unit 420 Measurement control unit 430 Data collection unit 431 Imaging data 432 Reference data 433 Time measurement data 434 Product Minute reference data 435 Filtering reference data 440 Correction unit 441 Pile-up correction data 442 Corrected data 443 Integration → each energy range conversion data 444 X-dose variable filter correction data 450 Image generation unit 470 Image database (DB)

Claims (15)

1. An X-ray irradiation unit for irradiating X-rays;
   A photon counting type X-ray detector for detecting the X-ray;
   Count the X-ray photons detected by the X-ray detector for each predetermined energy range,
   A data collection unit for obtaining measurement information for each energy range;
   A reference detection unit for measuring fluctuations in X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit;
   A time measuring unit that measures time fluctuations in the rotational direction of the X-ray irradiation unit,
   A photon counting CT apparatus.
2. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 1,
   Based on the time measurement data measured by the time measurement unit, further comprising a correction unit for correcting the measurement data measured by the reference detection unit,
   A photon counting CT apparatus.
3. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 2,
   The correction unit corrects the measurement information measured by the data collection unit based on the time measurement data.
   Photon counting CT device that specializes in this.
4. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 2,
   The correction unit converts the measurement data of the reference detection unit into dose rate data using the time measurement data.
   A photon counting CT apparatus.
5. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 4,
   The correction unit corrects the dose rate data based on pile-up correction data obtained by measuring in advance the change rate of the measurement information accompanying the dose rate data and pile-up,
   A photon counting CT apparatus.
6. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 5,
   The correction unit converts the corrected dose rate data into dose data using the time measurement data,
   A photon counting CT apparatus.
7. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 6,
   The correction unit corrects the measurement information for each energy range based on the converted dose data,
   A photon counting CT apparatus.
8. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 1,
   The size of the X-ray detector of the reference detection unit is smaller than the size of the X-ray detector of the X-ray detection unit,
   A photon counting CT apparatus.
9. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 1,
   The reference detection unit is composed of a plurality of X-ray detectors having a size equal to or smaller than the size of the X-ray detector of the X-ray detection unit,
   A photon counting CT apparatus.
10. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 1,
    An X-dose variable filter capable of changing an X-ray filter according to the X-ray dose of the X-ray irradiation unit is provided between the reference detection unit and the X-ray irradiation unit.
    A photon counting CT apparatus.
11. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 2,
    The reference detector is composed of an integral detector,
    The correction unit captures an object based on a predetermined relationship between a signal amount of the reference detection unit for the X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit and measurement information for each energy range of the X-ray detection unit. From the relationship between the measurement information for each energy range of the X-ray detection unit at the time and the signal amount of the reference detection unit during imaging, the measurement information is corrected for each energy range.
    A photon counting CT apparatus.
12. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 2,
    The size of the X-ray detector of the reference detection unit is smaller than the size of the X-ray detector of the X-ray detection unit,
    A photon counting CT apparatus.
13. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 2,
    The reference detection unit is composed of a plurality of X-ray detectors having a size equal to or smaller than the size of the X-ray detector of the X-ray detection unit,
    A photon counting CT apparatus.
14. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 2,
    An X-ray dose variable filter capable of changing an X-ray filter according to the X-ray dose of the X-ray irradiation unit is further provided between the reference detection unit and the X-ray irradiation unit.
    A photon counting CT apparatus.
15. The photon counting CT apparatus according to claim 3,
    An X-ray dose variable filter capable of changing an X-ray filter according to the X-ray dose of the X-ray irradiation unit is further provided between the reference detection unit and the X-ray irradiation unit.
    A photon counting CT apparatus.

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